Olympique de Marseille coach Habib Beye was targeted in a burglary at his home on Tuesday night, with clothing and high-end Louis Vuitton items reportedly stolen while he was absent, according to La Dépêche.
The incident is part of a series of thefts affecting footballers and staff in recent months, with players such as Neil El Aynaoui and Breel Embolo among those previously victimised.
For Beye, a former Marseille defender, this is not his first encounter with criminal activity. In March 2005, after a league match against Saint-Étienne, he was carjacked by three masked men near his home.
On that occasion, the perpetrators notably congratulated him on his performance before driving off with his vehicle, an unusual twist that highlighted the strange circumstances of the crime.
“This is a disturbing trend,” said a club source familiar with the matter. “Footballers, especially those in Marseille, have become frequent targets. Personal safety has become as important off the pitch as performance is on it.”
The burglary has sparked concern about security measures for players and staff, particularly high-profile individuals who are more exposed due to their public profile.
While Beye himself has not commented publicly on the incident, the club has confirmed that authorities are investigating the burglary and reviewing security protocols for its personnel.
This latest event underscores the recurring risks faced by footballers outside of the stadium and training ground. While Beye’s previous encounter with criminals included an almost surreal congratulatory gesture, there is little reason to believe that the thieves involved in Tuesday’s burglary would show similar civility.
The Marseille community has expressed solidarity with Beye, calling attention to the need for stronger protections for athletes who face increasing threats at home.
